Testimonials

Alfred Odhiambo

"My past three and a half years of working at Centum has been such an enriching experience. It had only been a year since my completion of the Graduate Training Program when I was entrusted with the responsibility of setting up and leading the Treasury function. We have since transformed this into a fully-fledged Corporate Finance division driving the group’s financial strategy.

Centum allows young and innovative minds to apply their skills and knowledge and bring their talents and capabilities to the fore in a positive work environment without inhibition. Looking back, there would never have been a better place to start off my career in Finance as I would probably have had to spend several years elsewhere to gain the kind of exposure and amass the knowledge that I have been privileged to obtain here.

With the full picture of our Pan-African strategy in mind, I believe the achievements I have been part of since joining Centum in August 2013 are nothing compared to what lies ahead and I look forward to taking on the challenges and grabbing the opportunities that come with it."

David Maina

"What has stood out for me the most during my time here is the sheer scale of the projects that Centum is involved in. This has allowed even the younger members of the firm to work on larger projects than they would practically anywhere else. During the first three years of my career, I ran a $10M portfolio focused on short term fixed income opportunities, managed the operations of a $110M structured product and was part of the 3-man team that executed the $63M investment by Old Mutual into the Two Rivers Mall.

The program has managed to bring in high achievers year after year and helped them to achieve lofty goals by providing them the combination of a large platform and a stellar support system to match the audacity of the firm’s targets. It’s also provided Centum with a deep bench of leadership talent which is a significant part of the firm’s competitive edge today.

Now in my fourth year at Centum, I have transitioned into a managerial role where part of my responsibilities include giving back to the program by providing the same guidance to the newer members of the program that I myself relied on during my earlier years at the firm. It’s a opportunity to contribute to the program that I have and continue to take great pleasure from."

Doreen Asaasira

"The genesis of my career as a Graduate Trainee at Centum has been a truly rewarding experience. Within my first two and a half years, I have worked on various projects that have kicked my growth into overdrive. Some of the opportunities I have been entrusted with include managing the annual Graduate recruitment program, establishment of HR structures for the newly formed subsidiaries and other third party client projects.

As a young professional, I feel very privileged to have been offered these amazing opportunities so early in my career. In my experience, Centum's Graduate Trainee Program is all about continuous growth, striving for excellence and working on high impact initiatives.

We are now at a time of rapid growth and exciting new initiatives. With great anticipation, I look forward to the opportunities and challenges to come as Centum delivers her Pan-African strategy."

Liz Wanjeri

"Through the graduate Trainee Program, I have been provided with optimal learning experience and challenges that have developed my skills in more aspects than any other entry-level job would.

The level of exposure is unparalled. Over the past one and a half years, I have been given the key responsibility of managing the implementation of all aspects of the risk function, including implementation of processes, tools and systems to identify, assess, measure, manage, monitor and report risks across the sectors of Financial Services, FMCG and Real Estate; Developing risk policies and procedures, risk limits and approval authorities for start-up business among other projects.

The program has offered the possibility of a dynamic career growth across multiple sectors. I have received continued mentorship from colleagues who have excelled in their field as well as an opportunity to build my professional network.

Working at Centum is truly a stimulating experience. The organization is advancing at a rapid pace, which allows you to work on complex opportunities and challenges."

Michael Thiriku

"I joined the Centum GT program in August of 2013 and the journey to-date has been a transforming one. In my first year, I joined the delivery team that delivered the Iconic Two Rivers project and entrusted to create from the ground up a H.S.E department and a Tenant Coordination Department. Later I was entrusted to deliver a power substation and energy generating centre the first undertaking of it's kind by any real estate development.

The unparalleled confidence and trust placed in your ability to deliver spurs you to take on greater responsibilities and gets you pushing the envelope on what you believed you could achieve. These success stories would not be possible without the great mentoring and coaching support accorded by the Centum Family. The Centum culture of creating capacity and trusting an individuals creativity and ability to deliver nurtures leaders who are able identify and exploit the opportunities that others can only dream of.

A lot has been achieved and a lot more is yet to come. The future holds great promise to those who are willing to see opportunity where others shy away. For 'We are made wise not by the recollection of our past but by the responsibility of our future.' - G. B Shaw "

Naomi Geita

For the past two and a half years, I have been allowed limitless access to various projects. By far, the most exciting project was raising a USD 30 million debt from Rand Merchant Bank in South Africa. It was also very fulfilling to execute the land and share purchase transactions culminating in the acquisition of 10,500 acres from Rea Vipingo Plantations Limited. Apart from transactional projects, I deputize the Group Company Secretary in a number of entities and committees. Centum has been the true hallmark of meaningful work as defined by Malcolm Gladwell (autonomy, complexity, and direct connection between effort and reward). I have never been told I am too young or inexperienced to be entrusted with a certain project; instead, I have the support I need to handle any kind of project and each task is a learning opportunity.

The graduate program is a great initiative – it allows candidates to ask questions, make mistakes, learn and grow while at the same time not being limited in terms of what they can do by their years of experience. A steep learning curve is an understatement – let’s just say the curve never cuts the y-axis!

I look forward to executing the projects I am working on that are still in the early stages. It will be great to say “See that structure? I saw it come to birth and I was not a spectator.

Samson Sevume

The graduate program has given me the unique and rare opportunity to not only be a part of but also actively manage a wide range of projects end to end. In the Two and a half years, I have managed the installation of the Two Rivers Rooftop Solar Plant. At 1.28 MW, the Two Rivers Solar Project, the largest rooftop solar project in East Africa has the capacity to power 800 homes per year. I have managed the Two Rivers Water and Waste water treatment project. At a capacity of 2 million liters per day, the water plant produces enough water for 40,000 people per day. In line with the conserving the environment, the waste water is recycled and used for irrigation. I have also been entrusted with the Two Rivers Mall Vertical Transport system comprising of the latest technology in lifts, escalators and Auto walks. These projects have not only been challenging but also very exciting, especially seeing the different components of the projects coming together successfully.

The Graduate Program is a very engaging and rewarding experience. It presents you with the opportunity at a young age to be a part of big projects that are transforming the face of Africa. The program makes you a part of the great, brilliant team that are behind the projects. The program stretches one to go beyond the graduate degree and understand different aspects of business; Law, Finance, Human resource, entrepreneurship and management effectively producing the next business leaders in the continent.

The future, I say, only gets better, more exciting, bigger mega projects and I look forward to be being a part of these projects and head a business unit one day.